How Do YOU Protect Yourself?

Hopefully this can be a good resource for people to prevent being sexually assaulted. I kept shaming behaviors (e.g. “Don’t sleep around” or “Dress modestly” off this list because that's stupid.) It shouldn’t be our job and the solution is to teach people NOT TO RAPE, but in the meantime the only person that is guaranteed to be looking out for you is yourself. A lot of my tips are woman oriented because I use them or they are techniques my friends have used. Many were taught to me by my mother and her friends. Comment with applicable male equivalents if you have some tips of your own. Remember that these are just as important in the day as the night.

• Cross the street when a group of men are near you on vacant streets
• Hold your phone in one hand.
• Avoid eye contact with men, but don’t duck your head or shy away. Walk tall, fast, and look ahead and act like you have somewhere to be or someone to meet. Preferably on the side of the street facing traffic. Walk close to the curb if there are any doorways or allies.
• DO NOT walk around with both earbuds in.
• Try to avoid giving directions on a solitary street and don’t get near their car.
• Carry keys between your knuckles as a potential weapon
• Invest in keychain mace, stun lights, stun guns, or tasers (check state restrictions)
• Watch defense tutorials
• If you have to walk home and you’re wearing heels, change into closed toe flats or sneakers when you leave work/a party so you can run if necessary
• On dates with new men, leave a post it note with the address and name of the bar you’re meeting at/his house by your phone or computer in case you disappear. Also, use the buddy system. Have at least one dependable friend that can check in on you every 45 minutes or so during the night and tell her to call the police if you don’t respond within the hour. Use code words to let her know if you need help.
• Always have an escape route.
• Locate your car quickly. Walk directly there, glancing underneath it as you approach. ALWAYS check the backseat before you get in, close and lock the door IMMEDIATELY and leave. NEVER approach your car from the passenger’s side; I know of a women that was pulled into a car parked next her in an assault attempt.
• NEVER set your drink down at parties. Use the buddy system and check in every so often. Keep your hand on top of the opening or thumb over the nozzle when carrying it around and never give it to anyone else; even a friend may forget to place her hand over it.
• Don’t open doors to salesmen and if you do, ask for ID. When signing for a package or attending to someone needing help, close the door behind you and don’t let on that you’re alone. Use peepholes.
• Only put your last name on mailboxes if absolutely necessary.
• If you live in an apartment, avoid being in the laundry room, stairways or garage by yourself.
• Don’t prop doors open and keep blinds closed at night.
• Plan bus/subway routes so that you get off at the busiest and well-lit stops.
• Try to avoid having the same daily routine; assaulters are often neighbors.
• If you’re on a campus, take advantage of walking-buddy programs like UT’s SURE walk, where they send a male and female to walk you to your dorm/off-campus housing between 10pm and 2pm
• If on the elevator, stay near the buttons so you can press for the next floor if you feel nervous or need to use the emergency button